Saturday, 31 July 2010

I'm another year older, but now I can finally say I own a 'forever' piece. As it was an important birthday I was fortunate enough to be given these (scroll down!):

I love them, they are so classic and they have been on my wish list for a loooong time. I can honestly see myself loving them as much in 40 years time, as I do now. Good shoes are the cornerstone of a good outfit (I think) so I feel ready to build on the rest of my wardrobe with things I will enjoy wearing forever.

Thursday, 29 July 2010

I was having a root around my back copies of Vogue and rediscovered this editorial from the November 09 issue of Vogue Espana. Its the only Spanish issue I own, and while the eds can be hit and miss, there is a luxe and simple aesthetic running through them which appeals to me.

Saturday, 24 July 2010

I was having a discussion the other day with my friend (and future blogger!) about resolving to be better groomed. This is something I have always meant to get round to doing on a permanent basis but have never actually succeeded.

For me, good grooming is about the following things. Firstly, hair. I am sooo insanely lazy when it comes to my hair. I am lucky enough to have pretty low maintenance straight hair, which I usually allow to dry naturally and then brush a bit. I find it looks so much better if I brush it when its wet so it doesn't dry with knots, and also taking the time to blow dry really makes it look nicer for longer. So if I'm leaving the house from now on I will always blow dry my hair.

I am not really keen on wearing make-up but I would like to wear lipstick every now and then. Skin is so important to having a groomed appearance. I have been using a cleanser everyday for quite a while now, which is a start. Yesterday I bought a facial moisturiser (from the same Latvian brand 'Madara' as my cleanser) so I'm hoping by adding another step to my skincare routine, my skin will keep getting better.

I do enjoy painting my nails. Chanel's ' Particuliere' is my favourite classic colour, as well as Barry M's 'Raspberry' . I will try to either have bare nails or painted ones - no leaving the polish on until it is horribly chipped!

I don't think good grooming is just about hair and makeup, clothes are essential in portraying a certain image. You can have beautiful sleek hair and perfect makeup, but if you're wearing a hessian sack, then you will still look like a mess. This image from Jalouse really sums up the look I want to go for. Simple neutral lips and an even skin tone, and the hair is that perfect blend of natural but with a bit of effort. I've never had long hair, and at the moment it is about as long as it has ever been....I wanted to see how it would look long but in reality it probably does look better above the shoulders, so I definitely need to book a hair cut. Clotheswise - they should fit you well and be clean!

The person who exemplifies good grooming for me is Olivia Palermo. I love how she sticks to a few key hair and makeup looks, but pulls each off perfectly. I don't think I'd ever want to spend hours on achieving absolute perfection every morning, but to make a definite effort is something to aspire to.

Ok I've gone on a bit! So tell me, what is good grooming to you? How much of an effort do you make everyday, and is it worth it?

Saturday, 17 July 2010

I went to see Heartbreaker today and I haven't enjoyed a film so much in a long time. It follows a fairly typical rom-com pattern, but still had a substance to it that made it stand out. Romain Duris played his role perfectly and I was incredibly jealous of Vanessa's hair, Chanel wardrobe, and Hermes Kelly.

Friday, 16 July 2010

Since reading deadfleurette's F/W planning post, I've begun to turn my attention to making my own list. The weather seems to have turned, going from hot to cold and then back again. When it's winter I dream of summer dressing, but as soon as it's summer I'm desperate for winter again. I certainly prefer the layers and scope of winter. I have also been inspired for a long time by the concept of a 4-5 piece wardrobe, as discussed at length on thefashionspot. Having hundreds of clothes has never really appealed to me, and I've never been drawn to fast fashion. But with constant wardrobe culls (it's a guilty pleasure of mine) I really own very little! So I guess this post is a chance to work through the gaps, and work out a small, but effective list of the things I could buy that would have the most impact. Firstly I'll list what I already own that I am happy with.

- Brown leather skirt

- Powder blue Ralph Lauren shirt

- Assorted long and short sleeve t-shirts

- Cashmere jumpers

- Black ballet flats

- Brown suede ankle boots

Of course I have more but really there is far too little. I am particularly lacking in the trousers. I despise jean shopping, and the pair I've had for the last 5 years have finally given up the ghost. The shops are saturated with things that weren't even nice enough to shift at bargain sale prices, so are hardly the most inspiring places right now. The thing that will totally revolutionize my wardrobe is getting a job (which will hopefully happen sooner or later). I've never had much money to have the clothes I dream of. But money wouldn't lead to frivolity, it would actually increase the planning staging of buying even further - the price of anything has to be justified.

So, what do I want to buy? The latest Isabel Marant show did not grab me at first, but the idea of the cropped and rolled trousers has really grown on me, but the jeans have to work when unrolled as well so that it isn't just a one note look. I usually head to Gap for jeans that last well for the price but there is nothing but dark washes at the moment. Ideally I want black and a lighter side of medium wash. I am wondering if an investment in J Brand is worth the money. I saw a tv show where they went behind the scenes at the J Brand factory, and I was really impressed with the amount of effort that goes into getting every aspect of colour, fit and the perfect amount of bought 'distress'. As I'm short I think a cropped version would hit me on the ankle which is the most flattering length on any height.

Secondly, I am so in love with my Isabel Marant style ankle boots so I really want tons of them! Beige, black, leather, suede. All assortments of ankle boots really, chelsea boots perhaps - a more fitted type that don't just have to be worn over the top of trousers.

I feel that the search for the perfect t-shirt is an ongoing one, but shirts are a lot easier. I really love these American Vintage ones (in white). International online store please open soon!

The most crucial item is a new coat. The last few years I have survived the British winters with nothing but a short wool jacket. I don't think I want to do that again so I will be on the hunt for a coat that falls slightly above the knee. Ideally camel, but I'll settle for black.

I'm really being drawn back to the Isabel Marant look, but with my own take on it. As much as I am really not a fan of Kate Bosworth, I absolutely adore this outfit. I love the skirt.....Not great for winter, but never mind!

Sources: jbrandjeans.com / am-vintage.com / justjared.com

This has turned into a bit of ramble, sorry! I will let you know if I stick to the list or not. I would love to hear other people's lists : )

Tuesday, 13 July 2010

We are bombarded with thousands of images every day and my computer is full of 'inspiration' pictures. So it is nice to be able to find an image that sums up how you feel, how you want to look, and all in just one picture.

I'm feeling drawn to the simplicity I think this picture exemplifies. A pair of jeans, a cashmere jumper, a great jacket and perfect hair. Why make it any more complicated than that?

Sunday, 11 July 2010

I can now tick another thing off my new year's resolutions list - see Air perform live. It was so insanely hot but the performance was very impressive. They didn't play my absolute favourite songs, but I gained some new ones. I was curious to see how the act would work on stage, and luckily it did. Jean-Benoît was often playing two keyboards at once and singing - no mean feat. Unfortunately I didn't dare take my good camera so these shots aren't the best. The first is of the venue (you can't really see anything, I know, but it was very beautiful). One thing I particularly enjoyed was the screen that played beautiful displays throughout.

And here is just a couple of the many videos I took. The first is 'People In The City' which was one I had never heard before but now I am obsessed with it! The second is 'Kelly Watch The Stars'.

Wednesday, 7 July 2010

I've had a black leather skirt on my wish list for a long time, finally I find a perfect one but....it's brown! I hardly ever deviate from black, white and grey, so brown is a bit unusual for me. Luckily, with all my other clothes being monochrome, everything works with this skirt. I'm going to wear it with white or powder blue shirts mostly. Because it is lined it should be okay to wear in the summer, and it will look good with tights in winter. I'm struggling a bit with shoes though, any ideas?